Four communities in the Madison County area will hold Independence Day celebrations, ranging from one day to three days.
West Jefferson
The West Jefferson July 4th Streetfest will run July 2-4 on South Center and Pearl streets.
Monday, July 2
5 to 11 p.m.—Rides
5 p.m.—Lolly the Clown
5 p.m.—Flag-raising at town gazebo
5 p.m.—Christian music
7 p.m.—Union Highway Band
Tuesday, July 3
5 to 11 p.m.—Rides
5 p.m.—Lolly the Clown
5 p.m.—Christian music
7 p.m.—Posse Band
Wednesday, July 4
10 a.m.—Parade forms
11 a.m.—Parade steps off
1 to 11 p.m.—Rides
1 p.m.—Music by Ox Roast Idol winner Rob Kurtz
1 p.m.—Lolly the Clown
2 p.m.—Music by Hour Unknown and Secret of the Early Bands
4 p.m.—Field day games by Madison County Diabetes Association (ages 4-11)
6:30—The Alexander Band
6:30 p.m.—Mime Brad Bodary
10 p.m.—Fireworks (rain date July 7)
All three days, Lolly the Clown will do face painting and balloon art. Food offerings will include hot dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, soft drinks and more. Albanese Amusements of Hebron will provide the rides this year. Hamburg Fireworks will provide the fireworks. Despite a recent fire at Hamburg, the show will go on.
Vendors and craft exhibitors may contact Bob Harper Jr. at 614-879-9840 to reserve a space. For parade information, call Paula Martin at 614-565-4949.
In conjunction with the Streetfest, the Madison County Diabetes Association will host field day activities at West Jefferson United Methodist Church for children ages 4-11 from 4 to 7 p.m. July 4. Children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate. The first 100 children will receive pedometers. Activities will include stick horse races, sack races and three-legged races. Call 614-879-9470 or 740-845-7232.
London
The London Patriotic Celebration Committee has organized an evening of fun set to take place Tuesday, July 3 at the J.J. Hartley Athletic Complex at London High School, 336 Elm St.
The evening will start at 6 p.m. with family activities courtesy of the London Parks and Recreation Department. The London Music Boosters will sell hot and cold food and drinks from the home side concession stand.
The fireworks, provided by Hamburg Fireworks of Lancaster, will go off at dusk. Despite a recent fire at Hamburg, the show will go on. People can view the fireworks from the home bleachers.
The rain date is tentatively set for July 7.
Sponsors of this year’s celebration in London are as follows:
• Finale Sponsor ($1,000)—Kronk & Scaggs Insurance
• Rocket Sponsors ($500)—ByersAuto.com, London Rotary Club, Madison County Hospital, Merchants National Bank, Stanley Electric U.S. Co., and Wilson Printing & Graphics
• Firecracker Sponsors ($250)—Advantage Bank, Dwyer Brothers, Equipment Specialists, London Animal Hospital, London Kiwanis, Madison Senior Living, MATCO Services, Obstetrics & Gynecology of London, Regent Homes, Royal Cabinets, Sovereign Homes, Takacs Family Ice Cream and Wal-Mart 5203
• Sparkler Sponsors ($100)—Brewer Plumbing & Heating, Chief Pete Tobin of the London Police Department, Mayor David Eades of the City of London, Dillion Realty, Dwyer Insurance Agency, Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home & Crematory, Fairbrook Homes, Huntington National Bank, J.S. Custom Graphics & Computers/Sheehy Systems, K.A. Sims Construction, London Florist Greenhouses & Garden Center, Madison Lawn Care, Michael C. Quilter of New York Life Insurance, Nelson & Ball Heating & Cooling, and Queen Cylinder
• Celebration Sponsors—Beathard Law Office, James Peart of State Farm Insurance, Mabe’s Clothing & Athletic Apparel, Peters’ Tax Service and Rustic Realm.
Donations to cover the cost of the fireworks are still being accepted. Make checks out to “London Patriotic Celebration Committee” and mail them to: P.O. Box 367, London, Ohio 43140.
For more information, contact any celebration committee member: Rod and Ginger Kronk, Matt and Melissa Noble, Mitch and Sheri Spahn, or Tim Wilson.
Mount Sterling
The Mount Sterling Community Center, 164 E. Main St., has coordinated festivities for Wednesday, July 4. For details or to register for various activities, call 740-869-2453. The schedule is as follows:
8:30 a.m.—Registration opens for 5K walk
8:30 to 11 a.m.—Registration for car show, flower exhibit and baking contest
9:30 a.m.—5K begins
10:30 a.m.—Parade lineup at Veterans Field
11:30 a.m.—“Spirit of Community” parade
1 p.m.—Mr. and Miss Firecracker contest for children ages 4-6
1 p.m.—Cornhole tournament
3 p.m.—Community Choir singing patriotic and inspirational songs
Plain City
Merchants and the Village of Plain City will sponsor a full afternoon and evening of events on Wednesday, July 4.
The day will begin with a parade, which will line up at 2:30 p.m. at the Route 42 entrance to Pastime Park and step off at 3:30. The parade route will head south into town, west on Main Street, and north on Park, coming full circle back to the park.
Anyone may take part in the parade, after which float and decorated bike contest winners will be named. All bike entrants will get prizes. This year, the parade grand marshal is Chris Duckworth of the Plain City Area Baseball Association.
The Little Miss Plain City Contest, geared for 5- to 8-year-old girls, returns to the schedule this year. The winners will be crowned in the park after the parade.
From 4 to 9 p.m., the park will be full of inflatables, a dunk tank, kids’ activities, craft vendors, a clown who does balloon sculptures and face painting, and food vendors.
From 6 to 9:30 p.m., Nevada Smith will perform. The band is comprised of Madison County area musicians who specialize in southern rock and country music.
The fireworks will go off at dusk (approximately 9:45 p.m.). Just before the fireworks, students of all ages from Jonathan Alder Local Schools will sing the National Anthem.
Visitors are encouraged to come early to enjoy the park activities, then take their seats on blankets and lawn chairs for the fireworks display.
Park activities and the fireworks are free, though donations will be taken at the gate. Volunteers are needed to help with the activities, including the dunk tank. Call Kim Yoder at 614-348-9879.
